Finishing Set for Floor Covering and Holder, as well as Finishing Profile, for a Finishing Set, and Method for Manufacturing a Finishing Profile and a Skirting Board

ABSTRACT

Finishing set for a floor covering, whereby this finishing set at least consists of, on the one hand, a finishing profile and, on the other hand, a holder with at least an attachment portion for attaching said finishing profile at the holder, characterized in that the holder comprises an underlay portion, which at choice can or cannot be provided underneath the remaining portion of the holder, as well as a stop-forming positioning portion.

This invention relates to a finishing set for a floor covering, as wellas to a holder and a finishing profile for such finishing set. Moreover,it also relates to a method for manufacturing a finishing profile and askirting board.

More particularly, the invention relates to a finishing set consistingof at least one holder and at least one finishing profile that can beattached on the holder.

In particular, the invention is intended for being used in combinationwith floatingly installed floor coverings, such as floatingly installedfloor panels, for example, laminate panels, prefabricated parquet,veneer parquet, or solid parquet. However, this does not exclude itsapplication in combination with other floor coverings.

When installing floor coverings, in particular with floatingly installedfloor coverings, in a large number of cases measures have to be taken inorder to finish the edges thereof. Such edges to be finished may occurat the end of the floor covering, for example, against a wall, at atransition to another type of floor covering, or when providing anextension joint between two floor coverings, said floor coverings eitherbeing of different nature or not, by which, amongst others, of differentmaterial or of different thickness is meant.

It is known that to this aim, use can be made of a finishing setconsisting, as aforementioned, of at least one holder and at least onefinishing profile that is attachable on the holder, said finishingprofile allowing to thereby cover the respective edge or transition, andthus forming, in most cases, also an esthetically attractive transition.

Hereby, the holder mostly consists of a rail-shaped profile, which canbe attached on the subfloor, for example, by means of gluing, screwing,nailing or simply by installing this profile partially underneath thefloor covering. Mostly, the holder also comprises an attachment portionfor attaching a finishing profile at the holder.

Usually, such finishing profile is realized as a decorative strip orsuch, whether or not consisting of several parts, which can be pressedinto the rail-shaped profile for attachment. Further, it is known thatsuch finishing profile can be realized in the form of an end profile,transition profile as well as an expansion profile or a combinationthereof. End profiles mostly serve for the finish against a wall,transition profiles for the transition from one type of floor coveringto another type, and expansion profiles for bridging-over an expansionjoint between two portions of a floor covering.

It is also known that the components of such finishing set may berealized in different materials, such as, for example, aluminum, wood,synthetic material or a wood-based material, for example plywood,MDF/HDF, and the like. It is also known to apply combinations, wherebythe holder consists of a well-defined material, for example, aluminum orsynthetic material, whereas the finishing profile consists of anothermaterial, for example, a wood-based material. Hereby, the finishingprofile may or may not be encased by a layer-shaped covering, whether ornot matching the floor covering, and which can be of any kind and, forexample, may consist of a foil or laminate as well as lacquer or thelike.

Such finishing sets and the composing parts thereof are known, amongstothers, from the patent documents EP 1 310 613, WO 03/040492, WO01/2010, WO 96/12857, U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,192, DE 198 54 452, DE 93 01719, DE 198 54 452, DE 203 20 273, and BE 531.202.

From these documents, it is also known that the holders and/or finishingprofiles may be equipped with particular features. So, for example, itis known from EP 1 310 613 to provide a break-off underlay portion atthe holder, which portion, in broken-off condition, can be placedunderneath the remaining portion of the holder in order to obtain thatthe holder can also be used with thicker floor coverings. In DE 198 54452, the same technical problem is solved by providing an adapterbetween the holder and the finishing profile. DE 203 20 273 shows howthe finishing portion, for attaching a finishing profile on the holder,can be provided with means allowing an inclination of the finishingprofile. From WO 01/20101 and WO 03/040492, it is known that thefinishing profile as such can be composed of different parts.

According to a first aspect, the invention aims at an improved finishingset of the above-mentioned type, with a combination of characteristicsallowing that such finishing set can be applied rather universally in anoptimum manner. To this aim, the invention, according to the firstaspect, relates to a finishing set for a floor covering, whereby thisfinishing set consists at least of, on the one hand, a finishing profileand, on the other hand, a holder with at least an attachment portion forattaching said finishing profile to the holder, with as a characteristicthat the holder comprises an underlay portion that at choice can be orcannot be provided underneath the remaining portion of the holder, aswell as a stop-forming positioning portion. Preferably, the underlayportion and the positioning portion will be located at opposite sides ofthe attachment portion.

By an “underlay portion”, a portion must be understood that isassociated with the holder and preferably is formed in one piecetherewith, which, at choice and in function of the application, can beplaced by the user underneath the remaining portion of the holder, suchthat this remaining portion and the associated attachment portion can besituated at different heights above the subfloor. Preferably, theunderlay portion of the holder is realized as a laterally extendingportion which is removable from this lateral position, such that in thismanner, the underlay portion can be put underneath the remaining portionof the holder.

By means of a finishing set according to the first aspect, it isachieved, on the one hand, that the position of the holder can beadapted to the thickness variations of floor coverings and/orunderlayments, and, on the other hand, in case that a finishing profileis applied that functions as an end profile, the holder, by means of thestop-forming positioning portion, can be attached upon the subfloor insuch a manner that the end profile, after being mounted on the holder,automatically will arrive at the desired final position. Moreparticularly, this relates to an end profile of the type suitable forforming a finish along a stop-forming part, such as a wall or the like,whereby said end profile has an end wall that is intended for beingdirected towards the stop-forming part. Preferably, the holder and thefinishing profile are realized such that, when the holder, by means ofits positioning portion, is positioned against said stop-forming part,the finishing profile, with its aforementioned end wall, preciselyadjoins against said stop-forming part. Hereby, it is preferred that, infreely mounted position, the stop-forming positioning portion of theholder and said end wall of the finishing profile lie in the samevertical plane. By “freely mounted position”, the position is meant inwhich the finishing profile is mounted in the holder, however, is notshifted against a stop-forming part, such as a wall or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention according to the firstaspect, the holder of the finishing set comprises an underlay portion,either the aforementioned underlay portion or another underlay portion,whereby this underlay portion can take at least a first and a secondposition in respect to the remaining portion of the holder, and whereby,in the second position, it functions as an underlay portion for saidremaining portion. Hereby, the underlay portion can be brought from thefirst position into the second. To this aim, the holder has one or moreof the following features:

-   -   the holder comprises means for separating the underlay portion        from the remaining portion, such that the underlay portion can        be put underneath the remaining portion; the holder comprises        means, as defined in the preceding paragraph, whereby those are        selected from the following series: a cutting line, a break-off        line, a tear-off line, a weakened material part, for example in        the form of a reduced section or a perforation; the holder        comprises means for bringing the underlay portion, by means of        an angling movement, from the first position into the second        position;    -   the holder comprises means, as defined in the preceding        paragraph, said means being selected from the following series:        a mechanical hinge, a foldable portion, a foldable portion        consisting of a more flexible material than the material of the        holder and being manufactured by means of co-extrusion with the        rest of the holder.

Possibly, also other portions of the holder, such as a positioningportion or an attachment portion, can assume different positions.Preferably, also the stop-forming positioning portion can be removablefrom its position, either by being able to be put into another positionwhile being connected to the remaining portion of the holder, or bybeing completely separable.

The possibility of changing the position of certain portions, either bydetaching those portions, or by angling them into another position, inwhich the respective portion then either exerts another function or not,provides for that this type of holder can be applied in a ratheruniversal manner. For example, such holder offers the possibility toshorten the holder or to heighten it, such that it, for example, remainsutilizable with different widths of expansion joints and differentthickness variations of floor panels and/or underlayments.

Further, the invention also relates to a holder for a finishing set,which is improved in accordance with the first aspect of the presentinvention. To this aim, the invention relates to a holder allowing torealize a finishing set according to the first aspect of the invention,whereby the holder comprises at least an attachment portion forattaching a finishing profile to the holder, characterized in that theholder further comprises an underlay portion, which at choice can orcannot be provided underneath the remaining portion of the holder, aswell as a stop-forming positioning portion.

According to a second aspect, the invention aims at an improved holderfor attaching a finishing profile, with a combination ofcharacteristics, such that the holder can be applied rather broadly. Tothis aim, the invention, according to the second aspect, relates to aholder for attaching a finishing profile for a floor covering, wherebysaid holder comprises a base as well as at least an attachment portionfor attaching a finishing profile upon the holder, and whereby the basehas two free edge portions situated at opposite sides of the attachmentportion, characterized in that at least one edge portion is realized asan underlay portion, whereby it can be removed from its position as afree edge portion in order to be placed underneath the remaining portionof the holder, and whereby the widths of both edge portions, measuredrespectively from the attachment portion up to the distal end of therespective edge portion, differ from each other.

The above-mentioned characteristics of the second aspect of the presentinvention offer an interesting combination of usage possibilities in oneholder. The free edge portions of the holder allow to slide bothrespective edge portions under the floor covering, in the case that useis made of a finishing profile that is realized as a transition profileor an expansion profile, such that the holder automatically is held atits location. With such mounting, it is also possible to bridge-overthinner expansion gaps or to effect shorter transitions. If desired,then less wide finishing profiles can be employed, such that a moreelegant transition is created. If it is not possible to slide both edgeportions under the floor covering, for example, when the finishingprofile is applied as an end profile, the holder offers the possibilityto slide the short or the long edge portion under the floor, such that,as desired, a wide or a narrow transition can be effected. With theholder according to this second aspect, moreover a free edge portionremains applicable as an underlay portion, such that the advantages ofthe present invention, according to the first aspect, in respect tosituating the holder at different heights above the underlying floor,are maintained.

According to a preferred form of embodiment of the present inventionaccording to this second aspect, both edge portions can be removed fromtheir position. As both edge portions moreover have a different width,in a single holder four possible configurations are created, namely thecomplete holder, the holder having the narrow edge portion removed fromits position, the holder having the wide edge portion removed from itsposition, and the holder having both edge portions removed from theirrespective positions.

With the aim of performing one or both of the aforesaid free edgeportions as being removable from their positions, the holder, accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention, has one or more of thefollowing features:

-   -   the holder comprises means for removing the respective free edge        portion from the remaining portion, such that this edge portion        can be put underneath the remaining portion;    -   the holder comprises means, as defined in the preceding        paragraph, whereby those are selected from the following series:        a cutting line, a break-off line, a tear-off line, a weakened        material part, for example in the form of a reduced section or a        perforation;    -   the holder comprises means for angling the respective free edge        portion between the position in which it functions as a free        edge portion, and a position differing therefrom, preferably a        position in which it functions as an underlay portion; the        holder comprises means, as defined in the preceding paragraph,        said means being selected from the following series: a        mechanical hinge, a foldable portion, a foldable portion        manufactured by means of co-extrusion with the remainder of the        holder and consisting of a more flexible material than the        material of the holder.

According to a third aspect, the invention aims at an improved holderfor attaching a finishing profile, with a combination ofcharacteristics, such that the holder can be applied rather broadly andcan be re-used. To this aim, the invention, according to the thirdaspect, relates to a holder for attaching a finishing profile for afloor covering, whereby this holder comprises at least a first portionwith an attachment portion for attaching the finishing profile to theholder, as well as at least a second portion with a function preferablydiffering from the function of the aforementioned attachment portion,characterized in that the second portion is hingeably connected to thefirst portion and thereby can be pivoted along an axis, whether fictiveor not, said axis being parallel or substantially parallel to thedirection of a finishing profile attached in the attachment portion.

The second portion, which, according to the third aspect, is connectedto the first portion in a hinged manner, promotes the applicability ofthe holder in a similar manner as the removable attachment portionaccording to the second aspect of the invention. The second portion ofthe holder pivots around an axis, whether fictive or not, either towardsa non-operative position, where the respective portion does not fulfillany function, or towards an operative position, where the respectiveportion indeed fulfills a certain function, such as, for example, thatof an underlay portion, more particularly an underlay strip. Severaloperative positions of the second hinged part are possible. Forinstance, the second portion can be realized as a laterally extendingflange, resulting in that, in its initial position, it also assumes anoperational position; for example, this second portion may be putunderneath the floor covering in order to attach the holder on thesubfloor.

An additional advantage of the holder according to this aspect of theinvention is that it may be re-used in any configuration, in view of thefact that the folding down of the edge portions is reversible and theholder, after use, can be brought back into its initial position bysimple means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to thisthird aspect, the hinge consists of a foldable portion preferablymanufactured of a more flexible material than the material of which thefirst and second portions are manufactured. According to this preferredembodiment, the entire holder then preferably is produced in one step,for example, by co-extrusion. With such hinge, the axis around which thesecond portion pivots, can be considered fictive, in view of the factthat the pivoting movement is the result of folding of material and thatno actual axis can be indicated.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a holder for afinishing profile of a floor covering with improved ease of application.To this aim, the invention relates to a holder for attaching a finishingprofile for a floor covering, whereby this holder comprises at least afirst portion with an attachment portion for attaching the finishingprofile on the holder, as well as at least a second portion, whether ornot realized in one piece with the first portion, said second portionbeing realized as an underlay portion for the first portion,characterized in that the holder is provided with positioning means,more particularly mechanical positioning means, which, when the secondportion is applied as an underlay portion underneath the first portion,effect a positioning in transverse direction among both portions.

According to this fourth aspect, the invention allows to position, orattach, the underlay portion in an easy manner underneath the firstportion of the holder, such that this underlay portion properly supportsthe first portion of the holder and/or, in doing so, does not shiftduring usage. Such positioning means may be restricted to a stop or,according to a preferred form of embodiment, may consist of lockingmeans, and, even more preferred, a snap connection, as a result of whichthe first and second portions can be attached upon each other.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention aims at an improved holderfor attaching a finishing profile with a well-defined combination ofcharacteristics, such that this holder, too, can be applied ratherbroadly. To this aim, the holder, on the one hand, comprises at least afirst portion with an attachment portion for attaching the finishingprofile on the holder and with a basis with which this first portion canbe attached on a subfloor, as well as, on the other hand, at least asecond portion, whether or not made in one piece with the first portion,characterized in that the second portion consists of an adjustmentportion, with which the first portion can be put at an angle in respectto a subfloor.

In a preferred form of embodiment of the invention according to thisfifth aspect, the second portion consists of an adjustment portion,which, when being used, urges the holder to take a tilted position. Thisadjustment portion may be made, for example, wedge-shaped. Awedge-shaped adjustment portion, when placed underneath the holder,offers the possibility to attach the holder on the subfloor in aninclined manner, such that an inclination of the finishing profile isobtained, which preferably is larger than the inclination that can beachieved by clamping the finishing profile obliquely into the attachmentportion. This larger inclination allows to effect a transition betweentwo floor coverings of differing thickness, whereby the heightdifference between both floor coverings can not be bridged solely by theinclination of the finishing profile in the attachment portion of theholder. According to a variant, the adjustment portion is configuredsuch that it is suited for being provided underneath one side of thebasis of the first portion, such that, with such mounting, the holderalso becomes inclined.

According to a sixth aspect, the present invention aims at an improvedfinishing profile, with a combination of characteristics allowing thatsuch finishing profile can be applied rather universally in an optimummanner. To this aim, the invention relates to a finishing profile for afloor covering, which, from manufacturer's side, is constructed suchthat it comprises a flange-shaped portion, with, in the proximity ofonly one edge thereof, a nose portion situated substantially underneathit, characterized in that the nose portion is attached to the remainingportion of the finishing profile as a one-piece, however, separableportion.

According to this sixth aspect, the invention relates to a ratheruniversal finishing profile, which, in a preferred form of embodiment,comprises a flange-shaped portion extending at the right and left handsides of an attachment portion of the finishing profile situated at thebottom side and having a decorative side at least on the upper side ofthe flange-shaped portion. In the same preferred form of embodiment, thenose portion extends at one edge of the flange-shaped portion at leastdownward and has a laterally-facing decorative side adjoining thedecorative side of the flange-shaped portion. The finishing profileobtained according to this preferred form of embodiment allows, forexample, to apply this finishing profile at choice as an end orexpansion profile, thus, starting from one and the same factory-madefinishing profile. To this aim, the factory-made finishing profile as awhole will be employed as an end profile, and, if the user wants toemploy the factory-made finishing profile as an expansion profile, hewill separate the nose portion from the finishing profile by simplemeans in order to thereby keep only the flange-shaped portion as anexpansion profile. Other flange-shaped portions and nose portions withother usage possibilities are not excluded. As a nose portion is presentat only one edge, the finishing profile remains rather un-complex. Also,in order to arrive at an expansion profile, only one nose portion mustbe removed, such that, in such case, waste is restricted to a minimum.

According to a seventh aspect, the present invention aims at an improvedand simple to produce finishing profile, with a combination ofcharacteristics allowing for a universal applicability of such finishingprofile in an optimum manner and for the application-friendlinessthereof. To this aim, the invention relates to a finishing profile for afloor covering, said profile comprising a body formed by means ofextrusion, characterized in that it has at least two portions that aremutually separable, but made in one piece, such that, by eitherseparating or not separating those portions from each other, distinctusage possibilities for the remaining finishing profile are obtained.

Extrusion is a very recommended method for producing elongated,thin-walled objects of synthetic material, aluminum, paper pulp orwood-based materials, such as the finishing profile of the presentinvention, according to this seventh aspect. Production with extrusionallows to manufacture one-piece, however, separable, portions in aninexpensive and versatile manner. According to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, to this aim one or more weakened parts shall be extrudedin the body of the finishing profile, where the separably realizedportions can be broken off, torn off or cut off.

The presence of several separable portions allows the application of oneand the same finishing profile as a transition profile, expansionprofile and/or end profile. To this aim, in a preferred form ofembodiment, one of said portions is made as a flange-shaped portionextending on the left and right hand sides of an attachment portionlocated at the lower side thereof, whereas the other portion is made asa nose portion extending downward from one edge of the flange-shapedportion.

Still more preferably, the finishing profile consists of at least threeseparable portions, namely, a flange-shaped portion extending on theleft and right hand sides of an attachment portion situated at the lowerside thereof, a nose portion situated in the proximity of one edge ofthe flange-shaped portion and having a downward-sloping outer surface,and a nose portion located in the proximity of the second edge of theflange-shaped portion with an outer surface that is globally steeperthan said outer surface of the first-mentioned nose portion.

In this form of embodiment, the flange-shaped portion can be made suchthat the finishing profile, when removing both nose portions, can beapplied as an expansion profile. However, by keeping the nose portionswith a downward-sloping outer surface at the flange-shaped portion, thefinishing profile can also be applied as a transition profile. Bykeeping, however, the nose portion showing said steeper outer surface atthe flange-shaped portion, a finishing profile is obtained that can beapplied as an end profile.

According to an eighth aspect, the present invention aims at an improvedand simple to produce finishing profile, with a combination ofcharacteristics allowing a universal applicability of such finishingprofile in an optimum manner and being user-friendly. To this aim, theinvention according to this eighth aspect relates to a finishing profileconsisting at least of a body, formed by several portions, whereby twoor more of these portions can be mutually separated or combined infunction of the intended application, characterized in that the body isat least partially encased by means of a layer-shaped covering, which,in the non-separated or combined condition of at least two of saidportions, extends or can extend at least over the transition betweenthose portions.

This aspect of the invention offers the possibility of a finishingprofile with a layer-shaped covering, such covering whether or notmatching the floor covering, whereas the advantages of the universalfinishing profile from the seventh aspect of this invention aremaintained. Moreover, the layer-shaped covering hides transitionsbetween the separable and/or combinable portions of the body of thefinishing profile.

A finishing profile according to the eighth aspect of the invention maybe obtained, for example, by sawing or milling a one-piece coatedsemi-finished product up to directly underneath the layer-shapedcovering in order to thereby obtain separable and/or combinableportions. In this case, the separable and/or combinable portions will beconnected by the layer-shaped covering and possibly in addition by aremaining weakened material portion. The separable and/or combinableportions may also be connected solely by the layer-shaped covering. Itis clear that a configuration, where the separable and/or combinableportions are connected by the layer-shaped covering and possiblyadditionally by a remaining weakened material portion, also may beobtained by other techniques.

In a preferred form of embodiment, the mutual separability of twoportions can be obtained by the possibility of cutting, breaking off,tearing off or the like the layer-shaped covering and the possiblypresent weakened material portion directly underneath this layer-shapedcovering. To this aim, preferably a tool, such as a knife, is used.

Another possibility for effecting the mutual separability of twoportions consists in that at least one of these portions is madedetachable from the layer-shaped covering adjoining it. According to avariant of this form of embodiment, it is also possible to offer aflange-shaped encased portion, whereby the layer-shaped covering of thisflange-shaped portion, along one or both edges thereof, continues into aportion, which preferably is provided with an adhesive at the inside,whether or not said adhesive being covered with a protective layer, andin order to offer, together with this flange-shaped portion, one or moreun-encased nose portions. The user then can decide whether he wants toemploy a nose portion. If he wants to do so, then he will position thenose portion underneath the flange-shaped portion and subsequently willprovide the aforementioned continuing portion of the layer-shapedcovering at least partially over the exterior of the nose portion, andpreferably up to under the nose portion. Hereby, the transition betweenthe two portions of the body of the finishing profile, namely theflange-shaped portion and the nose portion, in combined condition, iscovered. If the user does not want to employ a nose portion, he mayeither remove the layer-shaped covering continuing at the edge of theflange-shaped portion, or adhere this layer-shaped portion at leastpartially against the lower side of the flange-shaped portion.

According to a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention,the respective separable and/or combinable portions adjoin directlyagainst each other. In this form of embodiment, the finishing profilethen also consists of loose parts, which are connected to each othersolely by means of the layer-shaped covering. This form of embodimentoffers the possibility of an easier production than described above.First, the separate parts are manufactured, for example, by means ofsawing, milling, extruding, and subsequently the parts are assembled andencased with a layer-shaped covering. It is not excluded that, betweenthe assembly step and the encasing, a treatment is performed thatguarantees the precision of the assembled, not-encased assembly. Forexample, the outwardly directed sides of the assembled portions can becommonly cut to size, such that the subsequent encasing thereof isfacilitated and/or that the encasement quality is maximum. By this, forexample, is meant that no, or almost no, lines will appear at the heightof the aforementioned transition between two portions.

A production as described hereabove prevents, such as when sawing up toclosely underneath the layer-shaped covering of a semi-finished product,the presence of saw cuts between two separable and/or combinableportions. Such saw cuts mostly are undesirable, as they mean asignificant weakening of the finishing profile, which will lead to a badclamping of the profile, and also will result in that the finishingportions of the floor covering will be prematurely damaged by beingwalked upon.

According to another form of embodiment of the invention according tothis eighth aspect, the respective separable and/or combinable portions,instead of exclusively at the layer-shaped covering and possibly aportion directly underneath the layer-shaped covering, moreover areadditionally connected or attached to each other by means of lockingmeans. These locking means preferably shall consist of a snap connectionor a releasable adhesive connection.

The separable and/or combinable portions of such finishing profile maybe manufactured, for example, of wood or a wood-based material.Preferably, they consist of MDF/HDF or plywood.

Within the scope of the invention, it is not excluded that the separableand/or combinable portions are manufactured of other materials, forexample, by means of extrusion of synthetic material, paper pulp, or thelike.

Also, said portions for forming one and the same finishing profile maybe manufactured of different materials. So, for example, may theflange-shaped portion consist of a wood-based material, such as MDF/HDF,and may the nose portions be manufactured of synthetic material. Withinthe scope of the invention, various combinations of materials arepossible and offer the advantage that the most suitable material inrespect to production manner and usage function for each separate partcan be chosen.

In general, a finishing profile consisting of multiple separable and/orcombinable portions will consist of, on the one hand, a flange-shapedportion with an attachment portion situated at the lower side, and, onthe other hand, at least one nose portion located, in the non-separatedor combined condition, substantially underneath the flange-shapedportion.

In the case that such finishing profile, as aforementioned, consists ofseveral separable and/or combinable portions, two or more mutuallyadjacent portions thereof, apart from the fact that they possibly differfrom each other in shape, may be made in another, clearlydifferentiating manner for the user, for example, in that they differfrom each other in at least one of the following ways:

-   -   they have a different colour, which, for example, has been        obtained by colouring the material;    -   they are formed of different material;    -   they have a different print, for example, of a specific        instruction for use for each respective portion, for example,        provided on the underside.

This makes it possible for the user to easily see that the finishingprofile is composed or can be composed of different portions. Possibly,the function of the portions may be made clear in a simple manner bymeans of the aforementioned differences. This is of prior importancewhen, for example, several nose portions differing from each other arecommonly packaged.

According to a ninth aspect, the present invention relates to afinishing profile for a floor covering of the type consisting at leastof two portions, whereby the first portion is a flange-shaped portionwith an attachment portion located at the lower side, whereas the secondportion consists of a nose portion that can cooperate with the lowerside of the flange-shaped portion, in such a manner that, by applying ornot applying the nose portion, at least two usage possibilities arecreated.

A finishing profile of such type is known, for example, from the patentdocument WO 03/040492, in which the cooperation between the nose portionand the flange-shaped portion either consists of an adhesive connection,which is provided on the lower side of the flange-shaped portion frommanufacturer's side, or of a coupling part protruding from theflange-shaped portion and engaging in the upper side of the noseportion. This known finishing profile shows a number of disadvantages,when the flange-shaped portion is employed without the nose portion, forexample, in the function of an expansion profile. The adhesiveconnection may contact the floor covering, in which, by means of theflange-shaped portion, an expansion joint is being finished. In thiscase, the expansion of the flooring will be undesirably counteracted bythe adhesive connection. In the case that the flange-shaped portion hasa protruding coupling portion, this coupling portion, when applyingsolely the flange-shaped portion for finishing, for example, anexpansion joint, will limit the minimum width of the expansion jointpossibly to be finished, in view of the fact that the protrudingcoupling part will limit the distance over which the floor covering canbe slid underneath the flange-shaped portion. Moreover, the distance bywhich the flange-shaped portion reaches over the floor covering oftenwill be too small for offering a good cover under all circumstances.

In order to remedy the above disadvantages, the invention according tothis ninth aspect relates to a finishing profile for a floor covering,said profile consisting of at least two portions, whereby the firstportion is a flange-shaped portion with an attachment portion located atthe lower side, whereas the second portion consists of a nose portionthat can cooperate with the lower side of the flange-shaped portion, insuch a manner that, by either applying or not applying the nose portion,two usage possibilities are created, characterized in that between thefirst and second portions, attachment means are present at least in theform of an adhesive provided on the nose portion from manufacturer'sside, with which adhesive the first and the second portion can beconnected to each other, whereby these attachment means either can orcannot be further completed by a coupling part protruding from the noseportion and engaging in the lower side of the flange-shaped portion andoffering at least a locking in lateral direction. Hereby, the adhesivemay cooperate directly with the lower side of the flange-shaped portion,or with a part present at the lower side of the flange-shaped portion.

According to this ninth aspect, the cooperation between theflange-shaped portion and the nose portion thus can not form anylimitation for employing solely the flange-shaped portion, for example,when applying this portion as an expansion profile for finishing anexpansion joint. In such case, there actually is no disadvantageous glueconnection, nor are there any hampering protruding portions at the lowerside of the flange-shaped portion.

In a particular form of embodiment, the invention according to the ninthaspect also consists of a set of components for forming a finishingprofile of the above-mentioned type, characterized in that this set atleast consists of said first portion and said second portion, wherebythese are commonly packaged, and whereby, at least in the case of anadhesive connection, both portions are apart from each other andpreferably the adhesive provided on the nose portion is provided with aremovable protective layer. Still more preferably, the set of componentsshall comprise at least two different nose portions, which at choice canbe used together with the first portion, whereby both nose portionspreferably are packaged together with the first portion.

According to the ninth aspect, the invention also relates to a noseportion for realizing a set of components, characterized in that thisnose portion comprises attachment means, either at least in the form ofan adhesive that is provided on the nose portion from manufacturer'sside, or at least in the form of a coupling part protruding from thenose portion, whereby this nose portion, in the case of an adhesive,preferably is provided with a removable protective layer.

According to a tenth aspect, the invention also relates to a set ofcomponents for forming a finishing profile of the above-said type, moreparticularly a finishing profile consisting of at least two portions,whereby the first portion is a flange-shaped portion with an attachmentportion located at the bottom side, whereas the second portion consistsof a nose portion that can cooperate with the lower side of theflange-shaped portion, such that, by using or not using the noseportion, two usage possibilities are created, characterized in that thisset also comprises connection means in the form of adhesive means, andin that at least the nose portion and the adhesive means are commonlypackaged.

According to an eleventh aspect, the invention aims at a limited set ofcomponents, which nevertheless allow to form a large number of differentfinishing profiles. To this aim, the invention relates to a set ofcomponents for forming a finishing profile, whereby this set consists ofat least two components, a first component and a second component,respectively, whereby the first component has a flange-shaped portionwith an attachment portion located at the lower side, with as acharacteristic that the second component, whether or not after beingadapted, can cooperate with the first component in at least two usagepositions. The possibly required adaptation may consist, for example, inthat, in function of the desired usage position, one or more portions ofthe second component must be removed.

Preferably, the second component is made as a nose portion and has twosides which, in function of the desired usage position, can be turnedoutward, whereby, in function of the outwardly turned side, a differentform of finishing profile is obtained, preferably a finishing profile inthe form of an end profile or in the form of a transition profile,respectively.

In a preferred form of embodiment of the eleventh aspect, said two sidesof the second component are realized as decorative sides, whereby eachof these decorative sides, by positioning at least a portion of thesecond component in respect to the first component, can be brought intoa position in which it adjoins the decorative side of the flange-shapedportion in order to thereby form, in this position, together with thefirst component, a finishing profile.

Of course, the flange-shaped portion can also be applied as such, forexample, as an expansion profile.

It is clear that the invention also relates to finishing sets whereby aholder and a finishing profile are used according to any of thepreceding aspects of the present invention.

It is noted that the possible layer-shaped covering, with which thefinishing profiles according to the invention that are described hereinabove and below, as mentioned may consist of laminate, foil, veneer orsuch, and preferably has a high wear resistance. The laminate as suchmay consist of a carrier sheet impregnated in resin, upon whichpreferably a print is provided. Said wear resistance may be obtained byincorporating abrasive particles, such as, for example, aluminum oxide,in the layer-shaped covering. The application of the layer-shapedcovering, for example, takes place by gluing it with a polyurethane orpolyolefin glue. The use of polyolefin glue allows an easier covering ofsharp edges than in the case when using polyurethane glue.

Further, it is noted that the covering of the finishing profile also canbe solely built of different layers of colouring agent, such as ink,which preferably forms a pattern and may be covered by a lacquer or not.In the cases where the finishing profile consists of a body that isformed of several portions, as is the case, for example, with finishingprofiles showing the characteristics of the eighth aspect of theinvention, it is preferred to apply at least said pattern in theun-detached or combined condition of said portions.

An additional advantage of the different aspects of the invention isthat the logistic exertion of the manufacturer is limited considerably.The existing manner of finishing a floor covering requires holders foreach finishing profile and type of flooring, as well as finishingprofiles for each type of finishing and type of flooring, surely if themanufacturer wants to provide matching finishing profiles. Having allthese holders and finishing profiles in stock and offering them isexpensive. More particularly, a manufacturer who wants to offer, forexample, holders for two heights of floor covering will have to doublehis stocks. If he, moreover, also offers underlayments of variousthickness and wants to have a holder in stock for each combination ofunderlayments and floor covering, then the exertion in the field oflogistics will be larger than is acceptable. The finishing set, holdersand finishing profiles, manufactured according to the present invention,restrict this inconvenience to a major extent, anyhow, at least inalmost all forms of embodiment described above.

According to another particular independent aspect, thus, a twelfthaspect, the invention relates to a finishing profile consisting of amaterial that is easy to process, whereas these finishing profiles stillhave sufficient strength. To this aim, the invention, according to itstwelfth aspect, relates to a finishing profile for a floor covering witha body, whether or not formed of several portions, amongst which aflange-shaped portion with an attachment portion located at the lowerside, whereby said body, or anyhow at least the flange-shaped portionand the attachment portion, substantially consists of a materialcomposed of several layers of wood, with as a characteristic that atleast two of said layers have a different orientation of the wood fibersand preferably each layer has a different orientation of the wood fibersin respect to the layer situated thereabove, therebelow, respectively.In a practical form of embodiment, this is realized by manufacturing therespective body of so-called crosswise-layered plywood.

It is clear that said wood layers preferably extend parallel to theflanges of the flange-shaped portion.

By the variation of the orientation of the wood fibers, the finishingprofile according to the twelfth aspect obtains, amongst others, animproved bending strength. Each separate layer of wood thus offers onlya limited resistance against bending around an axis that is parallel tothe direction of the wood fibers. The cooperation of separate layers ofwood with different fiber orientations, according to the invention, nowprovides for that the finishing profile does not have an axis aroundwhich a bending encounters little resistance. Such axis is particularlydetrimental when it is situated in the longitudinal direction of thefinishing profile. In normal use, a bending around the longitudinal axisof the finishing profile will often occur, for example, when the userwalks upon the finishing profile. A low resistance against bendingaround this longitudinal axis then may lead to that thin portions, suchas, for example, the flanges of the flange-shaped portion, may break offprematurely.

According to a thirteenth aspect, the invention relates to a profile forfinishing a floor covering, with as a characteristic that this profileis configured such that it is applicable both as a finishing profile anda skirting board. In a particular form of embodiment of this thirteenthaspect, the profile comprises several portions, whereby two or more ofthese portions, in function of the intended application, can beseparated from each other or combined with each other, whereby in atleast one application an assembly is obtained that is suitable for useas a skirting board, whereas at least in one other application anassembly is obtained that is suitable for use as a finishing profile.

According to a fourteenth aspect, the invention also relates to anaccessory, with the characteristic that it shows one or more of thefollowing three features:

-   -   that it is configured to cooperate with a finishing profile in        order to divide such finishing profile into two or more parts;    -   that it has two or more usage functions, whereby at least one        thereof consists of the application as a knife for dividing a        finishing profile into two or more parts;    -   that it has two or more usage functions, whereby at least one        thereof consists of the application as a knife for dividing a        finishing profile into two or more parts, whereas the other        consists of the application as a tapping block.

According to a fifteenth aspect, the invention relates to a finishingprofile, or portion for forming such finishing profile, that is providedwith a pattern at its decorative side, characterized in that the patternis formed at least partially, and preferably entirely, of a hardening,thus, also drying, substance, which is applied on the finishing profileor on the portion thereof and is hardened thereon. More particularly,hereby it is preferred that a printed pattern is used, whereby theintended hardening or drying substance then consists of ink or anothersubstance that can be applied by means of a printer, such as a lacquer,which can be applied by means of a printing process.

This technique has as an advantage that no separate printed decorativelayer for forming the layer-shaped covering, such as a imprintedencasing foil, laminate foil or the like must be formed, which has to beapplied on the finishing profile in an accurate manner. An advantageresulting from this is that a smooth production is possible, in firstinstance, when the pattern is realized by means of a printer. Then, infact, no separate stocks of printed decorative layer have to beprovided. By controlling the aforementioned unit, more particularly, theprinter, in a suitable manner, it is possible to switch to theproduction of another pattern at any moment.

Coupled to the fifteenth aspect, the invention also relates to a methodfor manufacturing a finishing profile or a portion of a finishingprofile, characterized in that this method comprises at least a stepwherein the finishing profile and/or said portion, either in completelyfinished form, or as a semi-finished product, are displaced relativelyalong a unit that applies a hardening substance in the form of a patternon the finishing profile and/or said portion, more particularly, aprinting unit, preferably an ink jetprinter, after which the substanceis left to harden. Further characteristics of the fifteenth aspect willbecome clear from the detailed description.

According to a sixteenth aspect, the invention relates to a method formanufacturing a skirting board, whereby this skirting board is composedof one or more portions and one or more of these portions possess adecorative surface in the form of a pattern, characterized in that thismethod comprises at least a step wherein the skirting board and/or oneor more portions thereof are displaced relatively along a unit thatapplies a hardening substance in the form of a pattern on the finishingprofile and/or on said portion, more particularly, a printing unit,preferably an ink-jet printer, after which the substance is left toharden. Hereby, the same advantages are obtained as in the fifteenthaspect.

Both with a finishing profile according to the fifteenth aspect as witha skirting board according to the sixteenth aspect, it is possible torealize the entire pattern and/or the entire surface to be coveredaccording to the presented technique, as well as only a portion thereof,whereas then the remaining portion of the pattern and/or of the surfaceto be covered will be realized by means of another technique, forexample, by laminating in a press.

According to a seventeenth aspect, the invention relates to a finishingprofile for a floor covering comprising a body that is formed of atleast two portions, whereby these portions, in function of the intendedapplication, can be separated from each other or brought together, andwhereby the first of said portions shows a flange-shaped portion and thesecond of said portions is a nose portion that is or can be providedunderneath the flange-shaped portion, with the decorative side of thenose portion adjoining to a downward-directed portion of the decorativeside of the flange-shaped portion, characterized in that said first andsecond portions are formed of separate basic bodies; that the basicbodies themselves are free of mechanical connection parts fitting intoeach other, which are formed of the material of the basic bodiesthemselves; and that said basic bodies are coupled to each other or canbe coupled to each other by means of at least one separate connection.By a separate connection, any form of connection is meant that differsfrom a connection obtained by mechanical parts manufactured from thebasic material of the basic bodies. Finishing profiles according to theseventeenth aspect offer, amongst others, the advantage that theconnection among the basic bodies is no longer depending directly on thebasic bodies themselves, but on the separate connection, whereby, as aresult, more simple forms can be applied for the basic bodies. Theseparate connection preferably consists of an adhesive connection, forexample, a glue connection or adhesive tape connection, and/or aconnection by means of a layer-shaped covering extending over both basicbodies.

According to each aspect, various other preferred forms of embodiment ofthe invention are possible. To this aim, reference is made to thedetailed description and appended claims.

The invention also relates to all possible combinations of thecharacteristics of the various aforementioned aspects, such, of course,inasmuch as such characteristics are compatible with each other.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of theinvention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character,several preferred forms of embodiment are described, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a holder according to the invention, together withvarious finishing profiles;

FIGS. 2 to 5 show different forms of embodiment in mounted position,whereby use is made of the holder and a finishing profile of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 to 10 represent an enlarged view of the portion indicated by F6in FIG. 2, and this for different variants of the invention;

FIG. 11 represents a holder according to the invention;

FIGS. 12 to 13 represent the holder of FIG. 11 in differentapplications;

FIG. 14 represents a variant of a finishing set according to theinvention;

FIG. 15 represents the finishing set of FIG. 14 in mounted position;

FIG. 16 represents another holder according to the invention;

FIG. 17 represents an application of the holder of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 represents another finishing profile according to the invention;

FIG. 19, at a larger scale, represents the portion indicated by F19 inFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 shows an application of the finishing profile of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 21 to 23 show variants of a finishing profile according to theinvention;

FIGS. 24 and 25 show further variants of a finishing set according tothe invention;

FIG. 26, at a larger scale, represents the area indicated by F26 in FIG.25, for a slightly deviating variant;

FIG. 27 represents another variant of a finishing profile according tothe invention;

FIGS. 28 and 29 represent applications of finishing sets according tothe invention;

FIGS. 30 to 32 represent further variants of finishing sets according tothe invention;

FIG. 33 represents an accessory that can be applied when installing afinishing profile according to the invention;

FIG. 34 represents how the accessory of FIG. 33 is applied;

FIG. 35 represents a variant of the accessory of FIG. 33;

FIGS. 36 to 38 represent views and/or cross-sections according to linesXXXVI-XXXVI in FIG. 35, XXXVII-XXXVII in FIG. 36 and XXXVIII-XXXVIII inFIG. 37;

FIG. 39 shows a set of components for forming a finishing profile withthe characteristics of, amongst others, the eleventh aspect of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 40 to 42 show different forms of embodiment of a finishing profilewith, amongst others, the characteristics of the eleventh aspect of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 43 and 44 show another two variants of the invention;

FIGS. 45 and 46 represent another variant of the invention;

FIGS. 47 and 48 represent a variant of the accessory of FIG. 35, with apossible application thereof;

FIG. 49 represents a cross-section according to line XXXXIX-XXXXIX inFIG. 48;

FIG. 50 represents another finishing profile according to the invention;

FIGS. 51 to 55 represent another particular technique of the inventionfor realizing finishing profiles;

FIG. 56 represents another variant of the invention, which, amongstothers, corresponds to the seventeenth aspect;

FIGS. 57 to 62, at a larger scale, represent different variants of theportion indicated by F57 in FIG. 56.

FIG. 1 in cross-section represents the components of a finishing set 1,which, as known, consist of a holder, generally indicated by 2, and afinishing profile, generally indicated by 3.

The figure represents three traditional forms of embodiment of thefinishing profile 3. These in their turn are separately numbered andrelate to an end profile 4 represented in continuous line, an expansionprofile 5 and a transition profile 6, both represented in dashed line.

By “expansion profile” 5, a finishing profile 3 is meant that consistsof a flange-shaped portion 7 extending at the left and right hand sidesof an attachment portion 8 situated at the bottom side thereof. Afinishing profile 3, which is realized as an expansion profile 5,usually has, as represented, two contact surfaces 9 and 10 located, atopposite sides of the attachment portion 8, substantially at one and thesame height level. A “transition profile” 6 and an “end profile” 4, onthe contrary, are finishing profiles with the contact surfaces 9 and 10located at different height levels. To this aim, the transition profile6 and the end profile 4, at one side of the attachment portion 8, alsocomprise a nose portion 11 with a downward-directed end wall 12, which,at an end profile 4, usually is steeper than at a transition profile 6.Preferably, the end wall 12 of an end profile 4, as shown, will beupright and substantially vertical, whereas the end wall 12 of atransition profile 6 preferably slopes down in an inclined manner.

Unless specifically mentioned, the finishing sets of the invention thatare described in the following are not restricted to the representedfinishing profiles 4, 5 and 6, nor are said finishing profilesrestricted to their aforementioned application.

Further, the finishing set 1 represented in FIG. 1 is realized such thatit implements the first aspect of the invention. According to thisaspect, the holder 2 comprises an attachment portion 13, an underlayportion 14, as well as a stop-forming positioning portion 15.

In the represented example, the attachment portion 13, which is intendedto cooperate with the attachment portion 8, consists of two legs 16,which, at the inner side, are provided with ribs 17. The legs 16 arestanding somewhat inclined towards the inside. During mounting, the legs16 clamp around the attachment portion 8 of the finishing profile 3. Theribs 17 provide for an extra solid mounting and grip. Possibly, theseribs 17 may grip barb-like into corresponding cavities of the attachmentportion 8 of the finishing profile 3. Of course, other attachmentportions 13 or 8 for holders 2 and finishing profiles 3 are possible,without leaving the scope of the present invention.

As represented, said underlay portion 14 preferably is realized as asmall underlay strip and may be separated, according to a break-off line18 consisting of a V-shaped section reduction, from the remainingportion 19 of the holder, either by breaking it off or tearing it off,or by means of the application of simple tools, such as a knife, withwhich the underlay portion 14 can be cut off. Within the scope of theinvention, the means for removing the underlay portion 14 from theremaining portion 19 of the holder 2 may also consist, for example, of atear-off line, a perforation, a weakened material part, etc. Therespective portion may also be removed in other ways, for example, byproviding it with means for bringing the underlay portion 14 intoanother position by means of an angling movement. This may be amechanical hinge or, for example, a foldable portion forming part of theholder 2.

In FIG. 1, the aforementioned positioning portion 15 is realized as afree flange, whereby the distal end of this flange, which determines thevertical edge plane V1, forms a stop that allows for an optimumpositioning, amongst others, in such a way as will be explained furtherby means of FIGS. 2 and 3.

At the bottom side, the represented holder 2 has a profiled portion 20facilitating gluing onto the subfloor. However, attachment in anothermanner is not excluded, for example, by means of screws.

The represented holder 2 also complies with the second aspect of theinvention. To this aim, this holder 2 has two free edge portions 21 and22 situated at opposite sides of the attachment portion 13, whereby thewidths B1 and B2 of both edge portions, each time measured from theattachment portion 13 up to the distal end of the respective edgeportion 21, 22, respectively, differ from each other. More particularly,the width B1 of the free edge portion 21, which here functions as anunderlay portion 14, is larger than the width B2 of the other edgeportion 22, which, in this example, serves as the positioning portion15. As represented, B1 preferably also is larger than or equal toone-half of the entire width B3 of the holder 2, such that, whenapplying the edge portion 21 as an underlay portion, a good support forthe remaining portion 19 of the holder 2 by the underlay portion 14 isguaranteed, as will become clear from FIGS. 3 and 5.

FIG. 2 represents the finishing set 1 of FIG. 1 in mounted condition,for the case in which the holder 2 is combined with the end profile 4.Here, the finishing of a floating floor covering 24 installed on anunderlayment 25 next to a wall 23 is concerned. In this case, mountingtakes place, for example, by cutting off the underlayment 25 at adistance from the wall 23, putting the holder 2 on the subfloor 26 andpositioning it by means of the positioning portion 15 against the wall23, installing the floor covering 24 over the free edge portion 21 andfinally fixing the end profile 4 in the attachment portion 13 of theholder 2, as indicated by arrows 27. During mounting, the holder 2preferably is fixedly attached on the subfloor. It is not excluded that,when mounting the finishing set 1, the underlayment 25 is not cut offand that the holder 2 is provided on top of this underlayment 25.

In the example of FIG. 2, the end profile 4 precisely adjoins with itsend wall 12 against the aforementioned wall 23. Depending on theembodiment, the holder 2 whether or not pushes the end profile 4 intothe direction of the wall 23, as a consequence of which a clamping ofthe finishing profile 4 against the wall 23 is obtained. Such clampingmay be achieved, for example, in that said end wall 12 of the finishingprofile 3, in freely mounted position, is situated a little bit, forexample, several tenths of millimeters, beyond the vertical edge planeV1 of the stop-forming positioning portion 15 of the holder 2, or, inother words, in that the distance, measured from the attachment portion13 of the holder up to the end wall 12 of the end profile 4, in freelymounted position is larger than said width B2. By “freely mountedposition” the position is meant whereby the finishing profile 3 isattached in the holder 2, however, not yet shifted against a wall 23.

FIG. 3 shows another application of the finishing set 1 of FIG. 2. Here,the finishing of a floating floor covering 24, which is of a thickertype than the floor covering 24 of FIG. 2, next to a wall 23 isconcerned. The floor covering 24 is also lying on an underlayment 25 ofa thicker type than the underlayment 25 of FIG. 2; moreover, a vaporscreen 28 is situated below said underlayment 25 that bars risingmoisture. In order to bridge over the larger overall thickness of thevarious floor covering layers and thereby still be able to attach theattachment portion 8 in a sufficiently secure manner in the attachmentportion 13, the underlay portion 14 has been broken off and has been putunderneath the remaining portion 19. Hereby, the underlay portion 14 andthe portion 19 can be held at their place in any manner, for example, bymeans of glue or attachment elements, such as screws, with which bothparts are held on the subfloor. To this aim, screw holes possibly may beprovided in the underlay portion and/or the portion 19.

FIG. 4 shows still another application of the finishing set 1 of FIG. 1,whereby the holder 2 is combined with the expansion profile 5. Here, thefinishing of, for example, an expansion joint 29 in a floating floorcovering 24 is concerned. The mounting of the whole can simply bededuced from the figure. It is not excluded that, when using therespective finishing set 1, the underlayment 25 is not interrupted andthe holder 2 simply is fixed on the underlayment 25. Also, the user candecide, depending on the width of the expansion joint 29 to be finishedand the type of floor covering 24, whether he will install both, one ornone of the edge portions 21 and 22 underneath the floor covering 24.The holder shown here even allows to remove the widest free edge portion21 in order to allow an even larger finishing flexibility. According toa not-represented variant, also the narrowest free edge portion 22 maybe removable from its position, either by separating it, or by anglingit into another position.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the use of the finishing set 1 of FIG. 1, inthe case that the holder 2 is combined with the transition profile 6.Here, the finishing of a transition from a floating floor covering 24 ofthe same type as in FIG. 3 to a fitted carpet 30 is concerned. Themounting takes place in a manner similar to that in FIG. 3. In thiscase, the transition profile 6 is slightly inclined by clamping it withits attachment portion 8 obliquely into the attachment portion 13 of theholder 2.

FIG. 6 shows an application of a variant of the finishing set 1 ofFIG. 1. The stop-forming positioning portion 15 of the holder 2 isrealized with an upwardly directed portion 31. This prevents that, whenfinishing a floor covering 24 next to a wall 23 or other upwardlydirected portion, which does not adjoin the subfloor 26, the positioningportion 15 slips under the wall 23 and therefore causes a faultypositioning of the holder 2 in respect to the wall 23. The positioningportion 15 is also realized separable by means of a break-off line 8.For attaching the holder 2, in this example screw holes 32 are provided.

FIG. 7 shows the application of another variant of the finishing set 1of FIG. 1. Here, again the finishing of a floor covering against a wall23 is concerned. In this case, too, the stop-forming positioning portion15 of the holder 2 consists of an upwardly directed portion 31. In thisapplication, the upwardly directed portion 31 forms a visible border 33against the wall. This border 33 may possibly be covered with a covering34, whether or not matching the floor covering 24 or the finishingprofile 3. When utilizing this holder 2, also a clamping, as describedin respect to FIG. 2, may be obtained. Now, a clamping of the end wall12 of the finishing profile against the upwardly directed portion 31 ofthe holder 2, and/or of the upwardly directed portion 31 against thewall 23 is concerned.

FIG. 8 represents the application of still another variant of thefinishing set 1 of FIG. 1. In this case, the finishing profile 3 isrealized as an expansion profile 5, however, applied as an end profile4. To this aim, the upwardly directed portion 31 of the holder 2, whichserves as a positioning portion 15, supports the expansion profile 5.

In FIG. 9, the upwardly directed portion 31 of the stop-formingpositioning portion 15 also forms an additional attachment portion 13Afor attaching the utilized finishing profile 3 on the holder 2.

In FIG. 10, another attachment portion 35, which is used for otherpurposes than fixing a finishing profile 3, is situated on the holder 2,in this case, on the edge portion 22. In the example given here, anattachment portion 35 for an electric conduit 36 is concerned. Withoutleaving the scope of the invention, other functional portions may besituated on the holder 2, which independently also forms an inventiveidea.

FIG. 11 shows a holder 2 for attaching a finishing profile 3 accordingto the third aspect of the invention. To this aim, the holder 2comprises a first portion 37 with an attachment portion 13 for attachinga finishing profile 3 on the holder 2, as well as a second portion 38with a function that differs from the aforementioned attachment portion13. In this example, this second portion 38 is an underlay portion 14and is hingeably connected to the first portion 37. The underlay portion14 is realized as a laterally extending flange, which can be folded bymeans of the hinge 39, according to the represented arrow 40, between aposition in which it extends laterally, and a position in which it issituated underneath the portion 37.

The hinge 39 of the represented form of embodiment is a foldablematerial portion 41, which is manufactured by co-extrusion together withthe first portion 37 and the second portion 38 of the holder 2. Thefoldable portion 41 consists of a more flexible material than the firstportion 37 and the second portion 38 of the holder 2. The invention doesnot exclude that the holder 2 comprises a hinge 39 that is designed inanother manner. For example, the hinge 39 may consist of a weakenedmaterial part or a mechanical hinge; also, the whole holder 2 mayconsist of a deformable material, such that the user may fold the holder2 as desired.

The underlay portion 14 of the holder 2 of FIG. 11 comprises a profiledpart 20 on both sides, such that gluing of the holder 2 onto thesubfloor is easy for any application.

FIG. 12 shows an application of the holder 2 of FIG. 11. Here, thefinishing of an expansion joint 29 by means of an expansion profile 5 isconcerned. Here, the hingeable second portion 38 is represented in itsfirst operational position, whereby it is pushed under the floorcovering 24. It must be noted that the attachment of the holder 2 on theunderlayment 25, by pushing the underlay portion 14 under the floorcovering 24, may be insufficient, as the attachment portion 13 isconnected to the underlay portion 14 by means of the foldableco-extruded material 41. Thus, it is recommended to glue the holder ontothe subfloor 26 or to screw it thereon.

FIG. 13 shows another application of the holder 2 of FIG. 11. Here, thefinishing of an expansion joint 29 between a floor covering 24 and anunderlayment 25, which together form a thicker covering than isrepresented in FIG. 12, is concerned. In order to allow the finishing,the second portion 38 then is put into its second operational position,whereby it is pivoted underneath the first portion 38 and therebyfunctions as an underlay portion.

Other, whether or not operational, positions of the hingeable secondportion 38 of the holder 2 are possible, without leaving the scope ofthe invention.

FIG. 14 shows a holder 2 for attaching a finishing profile 3, which isrealized according to the fourth aspect of the invention. Here, a holder2 is concerned consisting of a first portion 37 with an attachmentportion 13 for attaching a finishing profile 3 on the holder 2, as wellas of a second portion 38, in this case realized in one piece with thefirst portion 37, which second portion can be utilized as an underlayportion 14 for the first portion 37. The attachment portion 13 of theholder 2 shown here is an example of a variant of the attachment portion13 of the holder 2 represented in FIG. 1.

Moreover, the holder 2 of FIG. 14 is provided with mechanicalpositioning means, such as meant in the fourth aspect of the invention,which positioning means, in this case, are realized in the form oflocking means 42, which are present on the first portion 37 as well ason the second portion 38.

FIG. 15 represents an application of the finishing set 1 of FIG. 14.Hereby, the second portion 38 of the holder 2 is provided as an underlayportion 14 underneath the first portion 37. FIG. 15 shows that thelocking means 42 allow for that the portions 37 and 38 can be attachedon top of each other by means of a snap connection, whereby then alocking in vertical direction and in transverse direction among bothportions 37 and 38 is obtained.

Within the scope of the invention, and according to the fourth aspectthereof, the locking means 42 also may effect a locking in longitudinaldirection. Moreover, it is possible that only positioning means areapplied between the portions 37 and 38, whereby then no attachmentbetween the portions 37 and 38 is effected, but exclusively a mutuallateral or transverse shifting is prevented. The locking or positioningmeans may also be realized in another manner than mechanically, such as,for example, by means of magnetic interaction.

In the portions 37 and 38, screw holes 32 are provided, the axis linesof which, in the coupled position of the first portion 37 and the secondportion 38, coincide. It is clear that such screw holes 32 are onoption.

FIG. 16 shows a holder 2 according to the fifth aspect of the invention.To this aim, the holder 2, on the one hand, consists of a first portion37 with an attachment portion 13 for attaching a finishing portion 3 onthe holder 2, and with a base 43, with which this first portion 37 canbe attached on a subfloor, in this case, the subfloor 26, as well as, onthe other hand, of a second portion 38, which, in this case, is realizedin one piece with the first portion 37, said portion 38 consisting of anadjustment portion 44, with which the first portion 37 can be adjustedat an angle in respect to a subfloor, in this case the subfloor 26.

The adjustment portion 44 represented in FIG. 16 here relates to awedge-shaped underlay portion that can be broken off, which, whenapplied, forces the holder 2 to take a tilted position, as representedin FIG. 17.

The adjustment portion 44 preferably allows a larger inclination of thefinishing profile 3 than the one obtained by solely attaching theattachment portion 8 in the attachment portion 13 in an inclined manner,as represented in FIG. 5. Inclining the finishing profile 3 allowsfinishing a transition between two floor coverings of differentthickness. Of course, the utilization of the adjustment portion 44 canbe combined with clamping the attachment portion 8 into the attachmentportion 13 in an inclined manner.

A finishing profile 3 according, amongst others, the sixth aspect ofthis invention is represented in FIG. 7. From manufacturer's side, thefinishing profile 3 is constructed such that the flange-shaped portion 7comprises a nose portion 11 under only one edge, which nose portion isattached in one piece, however, separable, at the flange-shaped portion7 of the finishing profile 3. In the represented embodiment, the noseportion 11 is connected to the flange-shaped portion 7 solely by aremaining weakened material portion 45, directly underneath alayer-shaped covering 46. The industrially manufactured construction isobtained by forming a recess 47 in an end profile 4, as the one shown inFIG. 1, said recess extending practically up to the layer-shapedcovering 46.

FIG. 18 shows a finishing profile 3 for a floor covering 24 according,amongst others, the eighth aspect of this invention. Here, a finishingprofile 3 is concerned that substantially consists of a body formed byseveral, in this case, three, mutually separable portions, whereby oneof the separable portions is realized as a flange-shaped portion 7extending to the left and right from an attachment portion 8 situated atthe lower side thereof, and whereby the two other separable portions arerealized as nose portions 11, which, in function of the intendedapplication, may or may not be removed from the flange-shaped portion 7.One of the nose portions 11, namely the right one in FIG. 18, shows anobliquely sloping outer side or end wall 12, whereas the other noseportion 11, namely the left one in FIG. 18, shows an outer side or endwall 12, which is steeper than that of the first-mentioned nose portion11 and, as shown, may be vertical.

Each nose portion 11 is situated next to an edge of the flange-shapedportion 7 and, in the represented form of embodiment, is restingdirectly against this flange-shaped portion 7 in that it is coming intocontact therewith in vertical direction by means of stop surfaces 48,such that a good transfer of forces is guaranteed. Also, in therepresentation of FIG. 18, there is a contact in horizontal direction bymeans of stop portions 49, such that a good resistance against lateralforces is obtained. A similar resistance against lateral forces can beobtained by providing stop portions 49A and/or 49B on the holder 2. Suchholder 2 is shown in FIG. 18 in dashed line.

A finishing profile 3 according to the eighth aspect, as the one shownin FIG. 18, can be manufactured by first separately producing the threeparts coming into mutual contact, in this example, thus, theflange-shaped parts 7 and the two nose portions 11, either by extrusionof synthetic material, aluminum, wood, and so on, or by machiningoperations and the like in, for example, plywood, or another wood-basedmaterial, for example, MDF/HDF, and thereafter commonly encasing saidcontacting parts with a layer-shaped covering 46, which keeps themtogether. It is not excluded that, before realizing the encasing, firsta treatment is performed that guarantees the precision of the assembled,not encased assembly, for example, by commonly cutting the outwardlydirected sides of the assembled portions to size.

When the finishing profile 3 of the type of FIG. 18 is applied as atransition profile 6, the user must remove the nose portion 11 shown inthe figure on the left hand side. If an application as an end profile 4is required, the user must remove the nose portion 11 shown in thefigure on the right hand side. An expansion profile 5 is obtained byremoving both nose portions 11 and keeping only the flange-shapedportion 7.

FIG. 19 shows how a nose portion 11 can easily be removed by pivoting,amongst others, the respective nose portion 11. In this manner, thelayer-shaped covering 46 will fold and a cutting line or fold will show,where the user can position his knife 50 in order to cut thelayer-shaped covering 46. Tearing or breaking the layer-shaped covering46 is also possible. When applying a layer-shaped covering 46 of asufficiently brittle nature, for example, a suitable thermosettinglaminate, the layer-shaped covering 46, when pivoting the nose portion11 to be removed, will break by itself.

It is clear that a finishing profile 3, as represented in FIG. 18, mayalso be manufactured by means of extrusion, whereby this finishingprofile 3 then comprises weakened parts where the separable-realizedportions can be broken off, torn off or cut off. In this manner, afinishing profile 3 is obtained that fulfills the seventh aspect of theinvention, which has been set forth in the introduction. Hereby, then alayer-shaped covering 46 may or may not be present at the visible sideof this extruded finishing profile 3.

Said layer-shaped covering 46 may, for example, consist of a printedfoil, for example, of the type usually applied as an encasing foil.Other coverings 46, however, are not excluded.

FIG. 20 represents an application of a variant of the finishing profile3 of FIG. 18, whereby it is applied as a transition profile 6 and,consequently, the left nose portion is removed. The particularity ofthis variant consists in that the finishing profile 3 has locking meansor parts 51, which prevent that a nose portion 11, when manipulating thefinishing profile 3 before and during the installation thereof, in anundesired manner moves out of the position in which it rests against theflange-shaped portion 7. This undesired movement of the nose portion 11does not promote an easy installation. Moreover, this movement may leadto an undesired breaking off or tearing of the layer-shaped covering 46or an undesired appearance of a folding line therein. It is clear thatthe application of such locking means or portions 51 is also beneficialwhen encasing the body of the finishing profile 3 in case it is composedof several portions. In fact, such layer-shaped covering 46 may generateresidual tension forces after being applied, which forces may rotate thenose portion out of its desired position. In the example of FIG. 20,this rotational movement is prevented by the applied locking means.

FIG. 21 shows a further variant of a finishing profile 3 according tothe eighth aspect, whereby at least one nose portion 11, and in thiscase both nose portions 11, are made separable by attaching the actualnose portion 52 each time by a removable, and whether or not re-usable,adhesive and/or glue connection, formed by adhesive 53, at thelayer-shaped covering 46. The advantage of this variant is that, afterremoval of the respective actual nose portion 52, always a nicelyfinished edge can be realized by folding, and preferably also fixing, asindicated by arrow 54, the then remaining respective protruding portionof the layer-shaped covering 46 underneath the flange-shaped portion 7of the finishing profile 3. Possibly, to this aim the layer-shapedcovering 46 must be shortened by cutting away a part thereof. Thequality of this cut, however, is not critical, in consideration of thefact that said cut, when the layer-shaped covering 46 is folded underthe flange-shaped portion 7, will not be visible when utilizing thefinishing profile 3. Moreover, the possibility of removing the noseportion 11 according to the method shown in FIG. 19, still remainsapplicable.

It is clear that the locking means 51 in FIG. 21 are optional. Also,instead of such locking means 51, use can be made of a, whether or notre-usable, adhesive and/or glue connection between the lower side of theflange-shaped portion 7 and the upper side of the respective noseportion 52.

According to a variant, which hereafter is described with reference toFIG. 21, the finishing profile 3 is delivered as a set of componentsconsisting of, on the one hand, a flange-shaped portion 7, whereby thelayer-shaped covering 46, at least at one edge of the flange-shapedportion 7, partially extends beyond the body of the finishing profile 3,whereas the respective portions of the layer-shaped covering 46 areprovided with an adhesive 53 and preferably with a removable protectivelayer applied on top of the adhesive, and, on the other hand, one ormore nose portions 11 without layer-shaped covering 46, which then, bymeans of the aforementioned adhesive, can be fixed against the lowerside of the protruding layer-shaped covering 46. Within the scope of theinvention, it is possible that the adhesive is also or solely providedon the nose portions 11, more particularly in fact the nose portions 52.Preferably, the aforementioned components, namely the flange-shapedportion 7 with its layer-shaped covering 46 and one or more portions 52,will be packaged together. If the user wants to provide the finishingprofile 3 with a nose portion 11, he will provide the respective actualnose portion 52 under the respective edge of the flange-shaped portion7, remove said protective layer from the respective protruding part ofthe layer-shaped covering 46 and finally interconnect the layer-shapedcovering and the actual nose-portion 52 by providing for that thislayer-shaped covering and the respective actual nose portion 52 will beadhered to each other by means of the adhesive 53. Summarized, thismeans that one or more of the actual nose portions 52 represented inFIG. 21 are delivered separately and are provided by the user, asindicated by arrows 55, against the lower side of the protruding partsof the layer-shaped covering 46. In this case, too, a protruding part ofthe layer-shaped covering 46, which is not connected to a nose portion52, can be folded towards the inside and be glued against the lower sideof the flange-shaped portion 7, for example, as indicated by arrow 54.

In order to facilitate the possible shortening of the folded-downportion of the layer-shaped covering 46, auxiliary means may be providedat the lower side of the flange-shaped portion 7, such as, for example,a recess 56, above which first the layer-shaped covering 46 is providedand into which the tip of a knife easily can be put in order to obtain,already cutting, guided by this recess 56, a high-quality cut. In FIG.21, the represented locking means 51 additionally may fulfill thefunction of said recess 56.

Possibly, the protruding portions, provided with adhesive 53, of thelayer-shaped covering may protrude that far that they can be foldeddown; up to under the nose portions 11.

FIG. 22 shows a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 21, whereby thelocking means 51 are realized in another manner, namely, as a snapconnection, which provides for that a support is offered laterally inboth directions and therefore shifting forces in the layer-shapedcovering at the height of the transition between the flange-shapedportion 7 and the nose portion 11 are avoided.

FIG. 23 relates to a set of components for forming a finishing profile 3for a floor covering 24 according to the ninth aspect of this invention.The set consists of at least two, in this case three, components,whereby the first component is a flange-shaped portion 7 with anattachment portion 8 situated at the lower side, whereas the second andthe third component consist of a nose portion 11 that can cooperate withthe lower side of the flange-shaped portion 7, in such a manner that, bywhether or not applying one of the two nose portions 11, three usagepossibilities are created, namely, the use as an expansion, transition,or end profile. Between the nose portions 11 and the flange-shapedportion 7, attachment means 55 are provided, more particularly adhesiveportions 57 obtained by an adhesive that has been provided on such noseportion 11 by manufacturer's side. In order to facilitate the attachmentof the nose portions 11 by means of the adhesive portions 57, abutmentsurfaces 48 and/or abutment portions 49 can be provided on theflange-shaped portion 7. These abutment surfaces 48 and/or abutmentportions 49 are represented in dashed line in FIG. 23. A packaging unitfor such set of components preferably contains at least oneflange-shaped portion 7 and at least one nose portion 11. Even morepreferably, the packaging unit contains at least one flange-shapedportion 7 and two different nose portions 11. In FIG. 23, the adhesivethat is provided on the nose portions 11 is covered by a protectivelayer 58. It is noted that such adhesive portion mostly is not thick,such that providing a recess 59 for applying said adhesive therein, asrepresented in the figure, mostly is redundant.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, which is not representedin the figures, it is possible that the adhesive portions 57 are notprovided on the nose portions 11 from manufacturer's side, but arepackaged together with such nose portion 11. Preferably, the enclosedadhesive portion 57 then will consist of a double-sided self-adhesivestrip that can be provided by the user between the flange-shaped portion7 and the respective nose portion 11.

FIG. 24 shows the application of a variant of the type of finishingprofile 3 of FIG. 18. The nose portion 11 is connected to theflange-shaped portion 7 solely by means of a layer-shaped covering 46.According to a particular characteristic, also a mechanical locking 51between the nose portion 11 and the holder 2 is present, which, in theexample, is realized as a snap connection.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show another variant of a finishing profile 3 of thetype of FIG. 18, whereby, in this case, the stop portion 49 is designedsuch that a possible rotational movement 60 of the nose portions 11around the distal extremity 61 of the flange-shaped portion 7 isprevented, counteracted or limited. Such rotational movement 60 may, forexample, occur under the influence of residual tension forces in thelayer-shaped covering 46, as discussed above in respect to FIG. 20. Inthe examples represented here, the stop portion 49 is carried outvertically and is situated at least partially above the horizontal planeH1 defined by said distal extremity 61 of the flange-shaped portion 7.In this represented configuration, the nose portion 11 shall beprevented from performing said rotational movement 60, as the stopportion 49, at least for the portion situated above the horizontal planeH, blocks the rotational movement 60.

It is clear that such rotational movement 60 can be prevented by anyform of suitable blocking portions or stop portions. Possibly, theseportions may be designed such that they indeed offer a blocking againstforces exerted by the layer-shaped covering 46, however, allow that therespective nose portions 11, by means of a larger force, can be turnedaway from their blocked positions.

The blocking portions do not necessarily have to consist of astop-forming mechanical part. For example, they may also consist of areleasable adhesive connection or any other releasable connection, whichis provided, for example, between the upper side of the respective noseportion 11 and the lower side of the respective flange portion 7.

It is clear that the use of such nose portions 11 and blocking portionsis possible at one edge as well as at both edges of a finishing profile3.

FIG. 27 shows a variant, whereby the stop portions 49 are inclined.

It is noted that said blocking does not have to be absolute and,therefore, a small freedom of movement is not excluded. This isillustrated in the nose portion 11, represented on the left hand side inFIG. 27, which can perform a small free rotational movement 60. However,the respective stop portion 49 limits this rotational movement to theposition of the nose portion 11 represented in dashed line 62.

In the examples of FIGS. 25, 26 and 27, at the height of the transitionbetween two portions, for example, at the height of the transition ofthe nose portion 11 and the flange-shaped portion 7, directly below thelayer-shaped covering 46, a space 63 is provided, which, for example,may be formed by the recess 59. By providing a space 63, which extendstowards the outside up to the layer-shaped covering 46, it is obtainedthat the risk of lines or edges showing in the layer-shaped covering 46at the height of the respective transition is minimized. The transitionbetween the nose portion 11 and the flange-shaped portion 7 now willhave to be finished less accurately in order to achieve a satisfyingresult. This means that in an easy manner, a result is achieved wherebythe decorative side or the exterior side 12 of the nose portion 11connects in a fluent manner to the decorative side of the flange-shapedportion 7. Also, the space 63 represented in FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 allowsa knife or the like to be moved smoothly through this space 63.

In FIG. 28, another application of a finishing set 1 according to thepresent invention is represented, whereby the finishing profile 3 servesas a skirting board. Hereby, the holder is attached to the wall 23. Inthe variant of FIG. 29, the holder comprises a positioning portion thatcan form a stop with the subfloor 26, such that the attachment portion13 of the holder and the skirting board or finishing profile 3 attachedthereupon automatically are positioned at the right distance above thesubfloor 26.

FIGS. 30 to 32 show more variants and applications of a finishingprofile 3, which, amongst others, shows the characteristics of theeighth aspect of the present invention. The particularity of thesevariants is that the flange-shaped portion 7 in its turn is composed ofseveral flange portions 64. In the case of the represented examples, theflange-shaped portion 7 consists of two identical or almost identicalflange portions 64. FIG. 31 shows that such flange portion 64 on its owncan be applied as an end profile 4.

A configuration, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 32, with two different noseportions 11 and two flange portions 64, leads to a large number of usagepossibilities, which are combined in one composed product. So, forexample, by means of the configuration represented in FIG. 32, whichalso comprises two different flange portions 64 that can each be appliedseparately, five different finishing modes can be performed in a floorcovering 24, which modes are summarized below:

-   -   by using the flange portion 64, represented at the left hand        side in FIG. 32, a relatively wide end finishing can be        obtained, of the type as shown in FIG. 31; by using the flange        portion 64, represented at the right hand side in FIG. 32, a        more narrow end finishing of the same type is obtained;    -   by removing only the nose portion 11 represented at the left        hand side in the figure, a relatively brisk transition can be        obtained, in view of the fact that the remaining nose portion 11        has a relatively steep outer side 12;    -   by removing only the nose portion 11 represented at the right        hand side in the figure, the user can obtain a less brisk        transition than in the case mentioned above, in view of the fact        that the remaining nose portion 11 has a globally less steep        outer side 12 than the nose portion 11 represented at the right        hand side in the figure;    -   by removing both nose portions 11, the user obtains an expansion        profile 5 with which an expansion joint in a floor covering can        be finished.

It is clear that implementing the flange portion 7 in at least twoflange portions 64, as described above, is also advantageous withfinishing profiles that do not show the characteristics of the eighthaspect.

FIG. 33 shows an example of a knife 65 with which, as represented inFIG. 34, a nose portion 11 can be removed. In the represented example,the knife 65, by which in this case the entire tool is meant, comprisesa hook-shaped cutting edge 66 and a holder 67, such as an eye 68, bymeans of which the user can handle the knife 65. The shape of the knifeis such that the risk of the user injuring himself is minimal.Preferably, the knife 65 is designed as a disposable knife that can bepackaged together with the finishing profile 3. The specific shape ofthe knife 65 represented in FIG. 33, in particular the hook-shapedcutting edge 66, allows that the user easily can insert the knife 65, bymeans of its tip 69, for example, into the distal extremity 70 of thefinishing profile 3 via the recess 59 or the space 63, whereas the eye68 remains available at the exterior of the finishing profile 3 in orderto draw the knife 65 forward in the longitudinal direction of thefinishing profile 3. This recess 59 or space 63 then serves as a guidefor the knife 65. The recess 59 or space 63 can also be intended solelyas a guide for the knife 65.

Of course, also other than hook-shaped cutting edges 66 can be appliedfor the knife 65, and also the eye 68 may be replaced by any otherholder 67 with which the user can handle the knife 65. In a particularform of embodiment, the knife 65 is realized as represented in the FIGS.35 and 36. Hereby, the holder 67 consists of a particularly shaped blockcomprising, for example, recesses 71 which can receive the fingers orfingertips of the user. The cutting edge 66 is situated at a bladepresent at the lower side 72 of the holder 67.

As represented in FIG. 37, the lower side 72, due to its specific shape,forms a guide surface with which the knife 65 can slide over thefinishing profile 3, for example, over the layer-shaped covering 46 ofthe flange-shaped portion 7. In this manner, the knife 65 automaticallyis positioned at the right location, in this case, with its tip 69 inthe space 63 or recess 59, such that, when advancing the knife 65, thelayer-shaped covering is cut by means of the hook-shaped cutting edge66, as represented in the view of FIG. 38.

It is clear that such knife 65 with a profiled guide surface adapted tothe shape of a finishing profile can be realized in other forms, too.

It is noted that, in the represented example of FIG. 35, the holder 67is provided with a mark 73 indicating the direction into which the knife65 has to be moved.

FIG. 39 represents a set of components for forming a finishing profile 3showing, amongst others, the characteristics of the eleventh aspect ofthe present invention. To this aim, the set, in this case, consists oftwo components 74 and 75, amongst which a first component 74 comprisinga flange-shaped portion 7 with an attachment portion 8 situated at thelower side, and a second component 75 that can cooperate with the firstcomponent 74 in at least two usage positions. In this example, saidcomponent 75 is composed of two mutually separable nose portions 11,respectively with decorative sides 76 and 77, which are intended to forma vertical and an inclined outer side 12 and which, in this case, areformed by a layer-shaped covering 46. It is clear that in use, both noseportions 11 are detached from each other and then the desired noseportion 11 is mounted under the first component 74. It is clear thatthen, depending on which nose portion 11 is applied, the decorative side76 or 77 comes into a position whereby it adjoins to the decorative sideof the flange-shaped portion 7. In the example of FIG. 39, thedecorative side 76 is situated in such a position.

In FIG. 39, the separable nose portions 11 are realized in one piece andare connected to each other by a weak material portion 78, where theycan be separated from each other. Instead of such material portion 78,also other connection means might be applied.

FIG. 40 represents a particularly preferred form of embodiment of theeleventh aspect of the present invention, whereby the second component75 as a whole can be used for forming a finishing profile 3, whereby, atchoice, the first side 76 or the second side 77 is brought into aposition whereby its decorative side adjoins to the decorative side ofthe flange-shaped portion 7. In the example, this second portion 75 isrealized as a nose portion 11 extending downward at one edge of theflange-shaped portion 7. Hereby, the side 76 is brought into a positionin which it adjoins the decorative side of the flange-shaped portion 7,such that the assembly of the first component 74, namely theflange-shaped portion 7, and second component 75, namely the noseportion 11, forms a transition profile. By the dashed line 79, aposition is given in which the decorative side of the side 76 adjoinsthe decorative side of the flange-shaped portion 7, such that theassembly of the two components 74 and 75 forms an end profile 4. In therepresented example, the attachment among the components 74 and 75 takesplace by means of an adhesive connection, however, according tovariants, also other connection means may be applied.

FIGS. 41 and 42 represent two variants of the eleventh aspect of theinvention, whereby FIG. 41 possesses one component 75, whereas FIG. 42comprises two components 75. The decorative sides 76 and 77 respectivelyare located at one and the same visible side of the respective component75. The two possible usage positions of such components 75 arerepresented in the FIGS. 41 and 42. In FIG. 41, an end profile 4 isformed by having the side 77 with its decorative side adjoin to thedecorative side of the flange-shaped portion 7. Hereby, the second side76 forms the steep outer side 12 of the end profile 4. In FIG. 42, onthe contrary, an expansion profile 5 is formed by having the side 76adjoin with its decorative side to the decorative side of theflange-shaped portion 7.

In general, the connection means between the components 75 and 76 may beof any form. Apart from the adhesive connection, an example of which isgiven in FIG. 40, use may also be made of portions fitting into eachother, such as a tongue and groove, as illustrated, amongst others, inFIGS. 39 and 41, whereby these portions, whether or not in a clampingmanner, fit into each other or are made as a snap coupling. Also,separate inserts 80 may be applied as connection means, which isrepresented in FIG. 42.

It is clear that the invention also relates to a nose portion 11 itself,which is formed such that it can be applied in two or more usagepositions.

Referring to FIG. 39, it is further noted that the represented specificcomposition of the first component 74 and the second component 75 hasadvantages in respect to the packaging of this set of components and theproduction thereof.

In respect to the packaging, it is quite evident from FIG. 39 that bothcomponents 74 and 75 can be provided against each other in a verycompact manner, such that the packaging, too, will be compact. In orderto enable such compact packaging, the second component 75 is providedwith a recess 81 that can receive the attachment portion 8 of the firstcomponent 74. This recess 81, which receives the attachment portion 8,contributes to a package that may be realized more simple than, forexample, the packaging of the same loose components. Other measures thathelp with packaging are, on the one hand, the presence of only twocomponents 74 and 75, which, however, as in the example, can beremovable, and, on the other hand, the engagement of applied connectionmeans or parts 82 between both components 74 and 75.

In respect to the production of both components 74 and 75, and moreparticularly to the encasing thereof with the layer-shaped covering 46,it is possible to choose a method whereby the circumference of asemi-finished product comprising both components 74 and 75, such as theone represented by dashed line 83, is encased, preferably with anuninterrupted layer-shaped covering 46. Hereby, in the representedexample, the second component 75, on one side 84, is not yet providedwith a profile, however, realized almost flat at this side 84, with theexception of possible rounded portions at the corners of this side 83.Thus, said semi-finished product in dashed line 83 shows a contour thatis easy to encase. The excessive material 85 at the side 84 of thesecond component 75 is removed after encasing in order to obtain thedesired profiling. In case the layer-shaped covering 46 on theaforementioned contour will be interrupted during encasing, it ispreferred to provide this interruption on the side 84, from which theexcessive material 85 will be removed.

FIG. 43 represents a particular form of embodiment, whereby the noseportions 11 are coupled to the holder 2 by means of coupling parts 86,whereby these coupling parts 86 preferably effect at least a locking inlateral direction. In the represented example, these coupling parts 86consist of projections 87 at the holder 2, which engage in recesses 88in the nose portions 11; however, it is clear that according tovariants, also other coupling parts 86 may be provided.

The portions 89-90 that carry the coupling parts 86, and moreparticularly the projections 87, preferably are realized removable, moreparticularly to be broken off, in respect to the remaining portion 19,to which end, as represented, break-off lines 18 may be provided in theholder 2.

The coupling parts 86 between the holder 2 and the nose portions 11 maybe applied for various reasons, however, practically they first of allaim at having the nose portions 11 fixedly positioned below theflange-shaped portion 7. Hereby, the nose-shaped portions 11 and theflange-shaped portion 7 either may be provided with separatelayer-shaped coverings 46, or be provided with a continuous layer-shapedcovering extending continuously from on top of the flange-shaped portion7 up to on top of at least one nose portion 11, as described in theeighth aspect of the invention. When applying the eighth aspect of theinvention, the coupling parts 86 provide for that the composing partsautomatically are mutually positioned before the layer-shaped covering46 is applied. Moreover, these coupling parts 86 prevent that the noseportions 11, after the application of the layer-shaped covering 46, turnoutward due to the influence of internal tensions.

As represented at the right-hand side of FIG. 43, the covering 46possibly may be applied partially over the holder 2.

It is clear that all that is described above in respect to FIG. 43, isalso possible in embodiments having only one removable or combinablenose portion 11.

According to a particular variant, one or more of the nose portions 11will be made in one piece with the holder 2, for example, by means ofextrusion. Such integrally made nose portion 11 then may be provided, inits turn, with a layer-shaped covering 46, whether or not implementedcontinuously with a layer-shaped covering 46 on the flange-shapedportion 7.

FIG. 44 shows another particular form of embodiment of said eighthaspect, whereby the nose portions 11 and the flange-shaped portion 7 andattachment portion 8 are made in one piece, however, these nose portions11 are connected to the flange-shaped portion 7 and/or the attachmentportion 8 by means of weakened portions 91-92, where the nose portions11 can be separated, for example, cut off or broken off. Hereby, theportions 91-92 are situated on proximal locations, which are obtained inthat notches 93-94 are formed in the whole, in such a manner that thenose portions 11, during the application of the integral layer-shapedcovering 46, can be pressed with their edges 95-96 up to against theflange-shaped portion 7. After the covering 46 has been applied, thenose portions 11 then remain in the position as indicated in dashed line97-98.

It is noted that, as represented in FIGS. 41 and 42, a removable noseportion 11 does not necessarily have to be limited to a portion situatedexclusively underneath the flange-shaped portion 7, but that suchremovable nose portion 11 may also be situated laterally in respect tothe flange-shaped portion 7 and thus forms a kind of prolongationthereof. FIG. 45 shows another example thereof, which also forms adeviating variant of said sixth aspect and in which moreover also theeighth aspect is applied. More particularly, in this form of embodiment,the nose portion 11 represented on the left hand side in this figure issituated substantially sideways from the flange-shaped portion 7 and isrealized, so to speak, as a prolongation of the flange-shaped portion 7.The nose portion is realized in one piece, however, separable, with theremaining portion of the finishing profile 3. In the representedexample, the separability is obtained in that the nose portion 11 isconnected to the flange-shaped portion 7 solely by means of thelayer-shaped covering 46 and a remaining material portion 45. Thisembodiment can be obtained in a simple manner by forming a recess 47 atthe underside of the finishing profile 3 almost up to the layer-shapedcovering 46, or by providing any other kind of weakened materialportions. It is clear that any other connection between the nose portion11 and the flange-shaped portion is possible, such as a connectionsolely by means of the layer-shaped covering 46, or a connection bymeans of separate inserts.

Whereas the finishing profile 3 in FIG. 45 is applied as an end profile4, it may, as represented in FIG. 46, also be used as a skirting board,by removing the nose portion 11 represented at the left in FIG. 45. Byremoving the nose portion 11, the obtained skirting board in this caseperpendicularly adjoins the floor covering 24.

The possibility of realizing an end profile 4 as well as a skirtingboard by means of only one finishing profile 3, is of particularimportance, as, when finishing a floor covering 24 against a wall 23,usually at least one of the two, either an end profile 4, or a skirtingboard, are applied. Thus, starting from one and the same finishingprofile 3, the user himself may choose whether he applies it as an endprofile 4 or as a skirting board.

It is clear that the FIGS. 28, 29 and 45-46 form examples of thethirteenth aspect of the invention, mentioned in the introduction.

FIG. 47 represents a variant of the knife 65 of FIG. 35. Hereby, theshape of the holder 67 is adapted such that the knife 65 or the holder67 as such has at least one additional function that is useful in theinstallation and finishing of a floor covering 24.

In the represented example, the holder 67 of the knife 65 comprises aprojection 99 on at least one upper edge. Such design allows to use theknife 65 or the holder 67, as represented in FIGS. 48 and 49, also canbe used as a tapping block when installing a floor covering 24. Thisrelates in particular to a floor covering 24 of the type that is placedin a glueless manner, by assembling this floor covering 24 by means offloor panels 100 comprising coupling means or coupling parts 101 on atleast two of their edges. These coupling means or parts 101 allow toconnect them with an adjacent floor panel 100. Such floor panels 100 areknown, for example, from document WO 97/48734. The coupling parts 101 ofthe type of floor panel 100 shown in FIG. 49 allow that two of suchfloor panels 100 can be coupled, amongst others, by means of asubstantially horizontal shifting movement S. This horizontal shiftingmovement S can be applied to the floor panel 100 by means of a stroke ofa hammer 102 against the tapping block or holder 67. Hereby, preferablyonly the projection 99 of the holder 67 touches the floor panel 100.Preferably, the contact between the holder 67 and the floor panel 100occurs at the upper side edge of the floor panel 100, such that thecoupling means or parts 101 in the proximity of this holder 67 are notdamaged.

Independently from the actual shape of the knife 65 or the holder 67,allocating several functions to one accessory, such as to the knife 65or to a tapping block, as such is particularly important, as this limitsthe number of accessories that are required for installing or finishinga floor covering. In the case of an accessory that can be used as notonly as a knife 65, but as a tapping block as well, it is clear that thedesign of the holder 67 can vary according to the design of the couplingmeans or parts 101. Preferably, the design is such that the tappingblock or holder 67 touches the floor panel 100 solely in zones where therisk of damaging the floor panel 100 and its coupling means or couplingparts is minimal.

According to another form of embodiment, also a piece of abrasive paperor other abrasive part can be integrated into the holder 67. Thisabrasive paper as such can be used for various purposes, however, inparticular may be used for polishing, after the removal of a noseportion 11 of the finishing profile 3, the flange-shaped portion 7 ofthe finishing profile 3 at the height of the edge where said removednose portion 11 has been cut off.

Such abrasive part can be integrated into the holder 67 at differentplaces. So, for example, this may be at a place, such, that the holder67, in a certain position, may be used as a knife, whereas, in anotherposition, it may be used as a grinding block. Preferably, however, thisabrasive part will be integrated such that it can be commonly appliedwith the knife, in other words, such that, directly upon cutting, also agrinding is obtained. This is possible, for example, either by providingthe abrasive part directly following the blade of the knife, or byintegrating an abrasive part into the blade, for example, by providingthe blade with an abrasive coating behind the cutting edge, or byrealizing it as a file.

Also, it is not excluded not to integrate the abrasive part into theknife 65, but to offer it as a separate element, for example, in theform of a grinding block, along with the finishing profile.

FIG. 50 represents another variant of the embodiment of FIG. 25. Herein,both nose portions 11 are locked in both lateral directions by means ofthe stop portions 49 and 49C.

As indicated by portion 103 in FIG. 50, the nose portions 11 first maybe manufactured as a unitary whole, in order to be subsequentlyprovided, together with the flange-shaped portion, with the layer shapedcovering 46, for example, by encasing, after which the portion 103 isremoved, for example, milled away. The portion 103 keeps the wholetogether in a stable manner during the provision of the layer-shapedcovering 46. Also, the outer surface against which the covering 46 mustbe provided, can be formed in the mounted condition, prior to removingthe portion 103, with as an advantage that the exterior contours of theflange-shaped portion 7 and of the nose portions 11 perfectly adjoineach other and that, after applying the layer-shaped covering 46, novisible transition will be present any more.

It is clear that, with embodiments that are realized according to theeighth aspect of the invention, such as the embodiment of FIG. 50, thisaspect will be particularly beneficial when the layer-shaped covering 46consists of a proper material layer, for example, formed of an encasingmaterial which, as such, can resist a certain tension force andtherefore does not solely exist of a print or the like, although thislatter, in certain applications, is not excluded. In the case of a foilor thermosetting laminate, the covering 46 preferably has a thickness of0.1 to 0.5 millimeters.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, the finishingprofile 3, or a portion 7-11 for forming such finishing profile 3, isprovided at its decorative side with a pattern that is at leastpartially and preferably entirely formed of a hardening substance, whichis provided on the finishing profile or the portion thereof and hashardened thereupon. In the first place, this means that the finishingprofile 3, or one or more portions 7-11 thereof, are provided with aprinted thereupon or printed pattern, whereby the hardening substance,thus, is an ink or other hardening, or, in other words, dryingsubstance, and whereby this pattern thus is formed on the already formedsurface of the profile, and thus not beforehand on a foil or the like,which then is provided on the finishing profile. The pattern may be ofany nature. In a large number of applications, however, this will be awood pattern. Other depositing techniques than by means of a printer arenot excluded.

FIGS. 51 to 55 schematically represent a number of possibilities inaccordance with the fifteenth aspect.

In FIG. 51, a pattern 105, by means of a hardening substance 104, suchas ink, is directly provided on the basic material of a finishingprofile 3 or a portion thereof, in this case, the flange-shaped portion7 thereof, such that, after the hardening or, in other words, drying ofthe substance 104 a printed surface is retained. As schematicallyrepresented in FIG. 51, this is preferably performed by means of aprinting unit 106, for example, an ink-jet printer, which applies thepattern in the form of a print.

According to a variant, a primer or other layer will be provided on thefinishing profile 3, or on said portion, underneath said pattern 105.

FIG. 52 represents how the print is provided on a finishing profile 3consisting of several portions 7-11, said profile having already beenassembled. Hereby, a print is obtained which merges from one portioninto the other in a continuous manner.

FIG. 53 represents a variant in which the printed pattern 105 isprovided, more particularly printed, on an encasing layer 46A, which isalready present at the finishing profile 3 or at said portion 7. Ofcourse, other layers, too, may be provided. FIG. 54 represents a variantin which the layer-shaped covering 46A made of encasing material keepsthe different portions 7 and 11 together.

At the decorative side, a wear-resistant substance may be provided, forexample, by covering the pattern with a transparent lacquer or varnish,in which corundum particles are incorporated. Also, embossments may beformed in the surface, which form a surface structure, for example, forimitating wood pores.

The fifteenth aspect may be applied to finishing profiles 3 and/orportions 7-11 of any basic material, thus, to wood-based products, suchas MDF/HDF and plywood, as well as to metal and synthetic material.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a finishingprofile or a portion of a finishing profile according to the fifteenthaspect. This method consists in that the finishing profile 3 or one ormore portions thereof, either in completely finished form, or as asemi-finished product, are displaced relatively along a unit thatprovides a hardening substance in the form of a pattern on the finishingprofile and/or said portion, more particularly a printing unit,preferably an ink jetprinter, after which the substance is left toharden.

FIGS. 51 to 54 respectively show an embodiment in which the respectiveworkpiece, thus, the finishing profile 3, or a portion thereof, isdisplaced relatively along said unit 106 by displacing this workpieceand the unit 106 in mutual respect in the longitudinal direction of theworkpiece. Thereby is meant, for example, that the unit 106 consists ofa printer, which locally is active on a line and that the respectiveworkpiece is moved in longitudinal direction therealong. Of course, alsothe unit 106 may be displaceable over the workpiece.

As represented in the schematic representations of FIGS. 51 to 54, theunit 106, in respect to its shape, may be adapted to the workpiece to betreated, for example, by realizing this unit as a printing headfollowing the shape of the surface to be printed.

FIG. 55 represents an embodiment in which the respective workpiece,thus, the finishing profile 3, or a portion thereof, is displacedrelatively along said unit 106 by displacing this workpiece and the unit106 in mutual respect in the transverse direction of the workpiece. Inthis case, the unit 106 then may consist, for example, of a simplestraight printer head, which does not have to be adapted to the shape ofthe workpiece.

The aforementioned sixteenth aspect relates to the manufacture of askirting board. As explained in the introduction, a method is concernedwhich is analogous to the method described heretofore, however, appliedto a skirting board rather than a finishing profile. Thus, thecharacteristics described by means of the fifteenth aspect can beapplied in an analogous manner when manufacturing such skirting boards.

FIGS. 56 to 62 represent finishing profiles, which are realized, amongstothers, according to the seventeenth aspect of the invention. Asrepresented, hereby then a finishing profile for a floor covering isconcerned, comprising a body formed of at least two portions, wherebythese portions, in function of the intended application, can beseparated from each other or brought together, and whereby the first ofsaid portions shows a flange-shaped portion 7 and the second of saidportions is a nose portion 11 that is or can be provided underneath theflange-shaped portion 7, with the decorative side of the nose portionadjoining to a downward-directed portion of the decorative side of theflange-shaped portion, with as a characteristic that said first andsecond portions are formed of separate basic bodies 107-108; that thebasic bodies 107-108 themselves are free of mechanical connection partsfitting into each other, which are formed of the material of the basicbodies themselves; and that said basic bodies 107-108 are coupled toeach other or can be coupled to each other by means of at least oneseparate connection 109.

As can be seen in the represented examples, such separate connection canbe of different kind and may one basic body 108 also be connected to theother basic body 107 by means of several separate connections. In eachof the represented forms of embodiment of FIGS. 56 to 62, for example,each time use is made of a separate connection 109 in the form of aconnection 110, formed by a layer-shaped covering 46 extending over thetwo basic bodies, or at least over the transition in between them. Inthe forms of embodiment of FIGS. 56 to 58, moreover also a separateconnection 109 is applied in the form of an adhesive connection formedby glue, more particularly a strip of glue. To this end hot melt gluecan be used. In the forms of embodiment of FIGS. 59 and 60 also aseparate connection 109 is applied in the form of an adhesive tapeconnection 112. In the case of FIG. 57, this is double-sided adhesivetape.

In the forms of embodiment of FIGS. 61 and 62, the separate connection109 consists exclusively of the connection 110.

As can be seen in FIGS. 56, 57, 58, 60 and 61, the whole possibly may bedesigned such that the nose portion 11 laterally may cooperate with anabutment surface 113.

It is clear that the forms of embodiment of FIGS. 56 to 62, amongstothers, also apply the eighth aspect of the invention. After cutting thecovering 46 at the height of the connection 110, the respective noseportion 11 can be removed. In the embodiments of FIGS. 56 to 60, therebyalso the adhesive connection 111-112 must be broken, for example, simplyby pulling the respective nose portion 11 off.

In FIGS. 56 to 60, the connections 111-112 at least provide for that therespective nose portions will not turn outward on their own. Accordingto FIG. 62, the nose portion 11 is prevented from turning outward bymeans of a stop 114 cooperating with a portion of the holder 2.

It is clear that the seventeenth aspect of the invention is not limitedto the represented forms of embodiment. So, for example, the separateconnection may also consist exclusively of an adhesive connection,whereas then no connection 110 by means of the layer-shaped coveringwill be present.

It is noted that in the embodiments according to the seventeenth aspect,the lower side of the flange-shaped portion and the upper side of therespective nose portion preferably adjoin each other with flat contactsurfaces, whereby these are situated horizontal or substantiallyhorizontal.

The fact that between a nose portion 11 and the side wall of anattachment portion 8, an adhesive connection is present, for example,such as depicted in FIGS. 58 and 60, as such forms an eighteenthindependent aspect. An advantage thereof is that it can be providedwithout exerting an influence on the vertical cooperation between therespective nose portion 11 and the respective flange-shaped portion 7.

It is clear that all above-described connection techniques between aflange-shaped portion and a nose portion 11 can be applied at finishingprofiles with one as well as with two nose portions, whereby in thelatter case, such connection can be employed at one or both noseportions. When, in the latter case, such connection is applied at onlyone nose portion, the other nose portion may be realized in one piecewith the flange-shaped portion 7.

Also, for two nose portions 11 of one and the same finishing profile,different kinds of connections can be provided with the flange-shapedportion 7. Thus, all combinations of different connections, selectedfrom the above-described connections, are possible. So, for example, maya finishing profile have a separable nose portion 11 at one edge,whereas at the other edge no nose portion is present, but a separatenose portion is made available, which, as desired, can be joined withthe flange-shaped portion.

It is clear that the finishing profiles 3 of the invention also can beapplied in combination with known holders.

It is noted that the holder, without leaving the scope of the invention,may consist of a long rail or various holders of limited lengthdimensions, which are placed on the ground at a fixed mutual distance.Also, it is not excluded that the holders are employed together withadapters, such as those described in DE 198 54 452.

The present invention is in no way limited to the forms of embodimentdescribed by way of example and represented in the figures, however,such finishing sets, holders and finishing profiles can be realizedaccording to various variants without leaving the scope of theinvention. As such, amongst others, it is clear that all characteristicsmentioned with reference to all aspects of the invention can be mutuallycombined at choice, as far as they are not contradictory.

1. Finishing profile for a floor covering, wherein said profile comprises an extruded body, said extruded body comprises two components that are attached to each other by means of releasable mechanical locking means, wherein a first one of said two components can cooperate with a second one of said two components in at least two usage positions.
 2. The finishing profile of claim 1, wherein said body is made from aluminum.
 3. The finishing profile of claim 1, wherein said second one of said two components comprises a flange-shaped portion.
 4. The finishing profile of claim 3, wherein said first one of said two components is made as a nose portion situated underneath said flange-shaped portion, wherein said nose portion has two sides which, in function of the desired usage position, can be turned outward.
 5. The finishing profile of claim 3, wherein said first one of said two components is made as a nose portion situated laterally in respect to said flange-shaped portion.
 6. The finishing profile of claim 1, wherein said body is thin-walled and elongated.
 7. The finishing profile of claim 1, wherein a first one of said two usage positions relates to the use of said finishing profile as a transition profile, while a second one of said two usage positions relates to the use of said finishing profile as an expansion profile.
 8. The finishing profile of claim 1, wherein said releasable mechanical locking means are made of portions fitting into each other.
 9. The finishing profile of claim 8, wherein said releasable mechanical locking means are made of portions fitting into each other in a clamping manner.
 10. Finishing profile for a floor covering, wherein said profile comprises an extruded body, said extruded body comprises two components that are attached to each other by means of releasable mechanical locking means consisting of a snap connection.
 11. The finishing profile of claim 10, wherein said body is made from aluminum.
 12. The finishing profile of claim 10, wherein a second one of said two components comprises a flange-shaped portion and a first one of said two components is a nose portion situated in the proximity of one edge of the flange-shaped portion and having a downward-sloping outer surface.
 13. The finishing profile of claim 12, wherein said first one of said two components is situated substantially underneath said flange-shaped portion.
 14. The finishing profile of claim 12, wherein said first one of said two components is situated laterally in respect to said flange-shaped portion.
 15. The finishing profile of claim 12, wherein said second one of said components allows forming an expansion profile and wherein said second one of said components when connected to said first one of said components allows forming a transition profile.
 16. The finishing profile of claim 10, wherein said body is thin-walled and elongated.
 17. The finishing profile of claim 10, wherein said releasable mechanical locking means are made of portions fitting into each other.
 18. The finishing profile of claim 17, wherein said releasable mechanical locking means are made of portions fitting into each other in a clamping manner.
 19. The finishing profile of claim 17, wherein said releasable mechanical locking means are made of a tongue and a groove fitting into each other, or alternatively, of separate inserts connecting said two components.
 20. Finishing profile for a floor covering, wherein said profile comprises an extruded body, said extruded body comprises two components that are mutually separable but made in one piece.
 21. The finishing profile of claim 20, wherein said body is made from aluminum.
 22. The finishing profile of claim 20, wherein a second one of said two components comprises a flange-shaped portion and a first one of said two components is a nose portion situated in the proximity of one edge of the flange-shaped portion and having a downward-sloping outer surface.
 23. The finishing profile of claim 22, wherein said first one of said two components is situated substantially underneath said flange-shaped portion.
 24. The finishing profile of claim 22, wherein said first one of said two components is situated laterally in respect to said flange-shaped portion.
 25. The finishing profile of claim 22, wherein said second one of said components when separated from said first one of said components allows forming an expansion profile and wherein said second one of said components when still connected to said first one of said components allows forming a transition profile.
 26. The finishing profile of claim 20, wherein said body is thin-walled and elongated.
 27. The finishing profile of claim 20, wherein said extruded body comprises one or more weakened parts where said components can be broken off, torn off or cut off. 